A friendly giant known best for his devilish and, at times, demonic lead roles in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW as Frank N. Furter, the eponymous DRACULA and the first replacement cast of THE LION KING as Scar - in addition to his current essaying of the role of the lecherous lawyer Billy Flynn in the smash hit Broadway revival of CHICAGO - time and perseverance has aided Tony-nominated actor Tom Hewitt in carving out a career on Broadway quite unlike most others in existence. In this comprehensive conversation we discuss his many marvelous stage performances on Broadway and beyond thus far, including his new lead role in the New York Musical Theater Festival musical THE GREAT UNKNOWN written by William Hauptman (PUMP BOYS & DINETTES) and Jim Wann (BIG RIVER) and directed by Don Stephenson. In addition to a thorough discussion of that new NYMF musical, we also talk about working with Julie Taymor on the PBS film FOOL'S FIRE and Broadway's THE LION KING, what the insane ROCKY HORROR LIVE experience was like from a stage perspective, his many stints in CHICAGO, as well as working with co-stars like Matt Morrison, Kelli O'Hara, Brenda Braxton, Charlotte D'Amboise and Chip Zien. We also discuss his feelings on Dan Savage's IT GETS BETTER campaign and what he thinks of GLEE taking on the garters, boas and stilettos of Frank & Crew when they do their ROCKY HORROR tribute later this month. Performances of the original bluegrass musical THE GREAT UNKNOWN have already begun so be sure to grab some tickets a the link below and catch the show on Sunday if you haven't done so yet!
Today we kick off our series on the 2010 New York Musical Theater Festival with the warm and fuzzy memories - as well as some less than fond remembrances - of the life and career of Broadway triple-threat leading lady Brenda Braxton. From the original company of DREAMGIRLS on Broadway under the direction of Michael Bennett to CATS and LEGS DIAMOND and George C. Wolfe's JELLY'S LAST JAM all the way up to her many stints in the Broadway revival of CHICAGO - as well as directing and recreating the original Bennett/Avian/Peters choreography for the post-9/11 star-studded DREAMGIRLS concert starring Audra McDonald, Lillias White and Heather Headley - we talk it all, plus all the exciting new musicals she is participating in - such as her NYMF starrer TRAVELIN' and another new musical reading, as well as projects of her own creation - both onstage and, now, behind-the-scenes! Ms. Braxton was generous enough to spend some time on a rainy afternoon earlier this week to discuss her career, the state of Broadway, the necessity of new musical theatre voices, working with Michael Bennett, and all the details on the new musical she is starring in that premieres this Friday at the NYMF, TRAVELIN' as well as some exciting news of what lies ahead!
The New York Times now has further details, including word that the Stafford Arima directed production is aiming for Off Broadway, produced by MCC and to play the Lucille Lortel Theater. Seller and McCollum are no longer involved with the production which has said to be further revamped, including the removal of the ACT II opener - Out for Blood. Click here for the full scoop!
As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, producers Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum, resurrected the infamous flop musical CARRIE for an Equity reading that had a notoriously short 3 night, 5 performance run on Broadway in 1988. The reading took place on November 20, 2009. The hope is to bring 'Carrie' and her supernatural powers back to the Broadway stage.
BroadwayWorld.com is excited to continue our coverage of Broadway on Broadway, the annual free outdoor concert at the crossroads of the world brings together stars and performances from current and upcoming Broadway productions to celebrate the beginning of the new Broadway season with our backstage photos!
Kelsey Grammer, Tony®-nominated star of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of La Cage Aux Folles and five-time Emmy Award winner, hosted Broadway on Broadway 2010 on Sunday, September 12th at 11:30 a.m.
On Monday, September 13, 2010, the Broadway company of the international musical smash CHICAGO is pleased to welcome back Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt in the role of slick criminal lawyer Billy Flynn.
On Monday, September 13, 2010, the Broadway company of the international musical smash CHICAGO is pleased to welcome back Tony Award nominee Tom Hewitt in the role of slick criminal lawyer Billy Flynn.
Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) will offer a series of musical theater master classes in September 2010. A trio of Broadway dance luminaries, Charlotte d'Amboise, Mary Ann Lamb and Mary MacLeod, will focus on technique and choreography from Broadway masters for whom they have danced such as Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, and Michael Bennett.
Summer may be winding down, but things are still heating up on Broadway, as the Tony Award-winning, international musical smash CHICAGO announces that stage and screen star John O'Hurley ('Seinfeld,' 'Dancing with the Stars,' Monty Python's Spamalot) has extended his limited engagement as Billy Flynn through Sunday, September 12.
Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) will offer a series of musical theater master classes in September 2010. A trio of Broadway dance stalwarts, Charlotte d'Amboise, Mary MacLeod and Mary Ann Lamb, will focus on Broadway technique and choreography from luminaries for whom they have danced such as Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, and Michael Bennett.
Recently, I had the privilege of conducting an InDepth InterView with British belting triple-threat diva Ruthie Henshall, currently lighting up Broadway as Roxie in CHICAGO. She previously has played Velma both in the original London revival cast as well as on Broadway opposite Sandy Duncan in a highly-praised run nearly ten years ago. In this revealing discussion, we discuss her experiences working on CHICAGO on Broadway and in the West End, playing ensemble roles in the original productions of CHILDREN OF EDEN and MISS SAIGON, working with Bob Avian, Matthew Bourne, Carol Burnett, Kelsey Grammer and John Barrowman, as well as what roles on Broadway she wants to do next (clue: 'I Miss The Mountains') and her upcoming concerts in Australia and appearances at Feinstein's next year! Broadway has welcomed Ruthie back with open hearts and open arms - and why not? In her own words, she is the 'real deal!'
Amid an electrifying evening of dance by the greatest talents of Broadway and film, the 2010 Fred & Adele Astaire Award winners were announced at the 28th annual awards ceremony at the Gerald W. Lynch at John Jay College. The Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late esteemed critic and co-founder of the Awards was presented to the legendary director and choreographer Kenny Ortega by Grammy winner Roberta Flack. Host for the evening was Ben Vereen.
The Fred and Adele Astaire Awards will once again recognize excellence in dance on both stage and film. This year's Awards gala will take place June 7, 2010 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Avenue (between 58th and 59th Streets) New York City 10019.
The Fred and Adele Astaire Awards will once again recognize excellence in dance on both stage and film. This year's Awards gala will take place June 7, 2010 at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Avenue (between 58th and 59th Streets) New York City 10019.
Fred Astaire's widow, Robyn, filed a suit May 28 seeking to block what she says is unauthorized use of the Astaire name by the coming Fred and Adele Astaire Awards. The news was reported by the New York Times.
Marge Champion, Sandy Duncan, Carol Lawrence, Rosie Perez, Roberta Flack, Charlotte d'Amboise and Sondra Lee are set to appear at the 28th Annual Fred and Adele Astaire Awards. Perez and Flack will present Kenny Ortega, director and choreographer of High School Musical, with the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award.
Richard Stevens presents two staged readings of Stephen Calmson's new play GOOD PEOPLE on Wednesday April 21 (4-6pm) and Thursday April 22 (5-7pm) at St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th St.).
Richard Stevens presents two staged readings of Stephen Calmson's new play GOOD PEOPLE on Wednesday April 21 (4-6pm) and Thursday April 22 (5-7pm) at St. Luke's Theatre (308 W. 46th St.).
